New batteries promise more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge

Chinese company Dongfeng Motor is positioning itself as a driving force behind progress in electric car batteries. The company will begin mass-producing and installing a new generation of solid-state batteries in its vehicles in the second half of this year. The move will deliver significantly higher energy density while addressing one of the biggest concerns for electric car drivers: range on a single charge.

The key advantage of this technology is its extremely high level of safety. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolytes and pose a risk of ignition in the event of a collision or overheating, Dongfeng's solution is based on a solid electrolyte. This drastically reduces the risk of fires or explosions. Engineers subjected the battery cells to demanding safety tests. During the tests, the cells were compressed to 50 percent of their original shape, but they continued to function despite the deformation. They were also exposed to temperatures of 170°C, with the battery emitting no smoke or catching fire.

The technical design is based on an oxide-polymer composite. This direction is considered by the industry to be the most sensible path to rapid serial production, as it already has a developed raw material supply chain and is compatible with existing production equipment. The head of the solid-state battery laboratory, Zhang Wei, emphasizes that they have achieved complete independence in the development of key technologies. This includes all stages, from electrodes and electrolytes to final integration into battery packs. For this purpose, the company has built a complete production line that combines laboratories, trial production and pilot lines.

The new battery pack is 30 percent lighter than conventional lithium-ion competitors, enabling greater efficiency without adding weight to the vehicle. Testing in the extremely cold environment of Mohe earlier this year demonstrated high resilience. At temperatures down to -30°C, the battery retained more than 74 percent of its capacity, while the total range still exceeded 1,000 kilometers.

Dongfeng remains one of China's oldest car manufacturers, selling 2.47 million vehicles in 2025, including 1.05 million electric and hybrid models, a notable 21% year-on-year growth.